All season long I’ve been using points per plate appearance as my metric of choice when it comes to comparing players. It’s certainly not the only stat I look at, but it definitely holds its weight when I’m punching numbers into my calculator. After some consideration I realized that points per game deserves a mention as well, especially daily leagues. Knowing how many points a player averages per game is an extremely useful statistic when deciding which players to start each day. Even in weekly leagues PPG is a strong indicator of value.
Here’s a look at all batters for 2016 organized by position…
Catcher (min 100 games)
Gary Sanchez – 3.32 PPG (38 games)
Buster Posey – 2.81 PPG (131 games)
Wilson Ramos – 2.57 PPG (123 games)
Jonathan Lucroy – 2.47 PPG (130 games)
Yadier Molina – 2.05 PPG (132 games)
Kurt Suzuki – 1.99 PPG (99 games)*
J.T. Realmuto – 1.96 PPG (124 games)
Brian McCann – 1.96 PPG (117 games)
Stephen Vogt – 1.92 PPG (121 games)
Yasmani Grandal – 1.90 PPG (115 games)
Matt Wieters – 1.86 PPG (110 games)
In the past month I have both applauded and cursed Gary Sanchez. However in Gary’s defense he promptly responded to my criticism by hitting two homers and scoring 16 fantasy points over the next two days and was even more promptly forgiven. The issue with Sanchez is his sample size. While he’s averaging 3.32 points per game, he’s only played 38 games this season. While his points per game is better than any catcher, I just cannot justify giving him the top spot on the catchers list, a position David Denson would love to own.
Buster Posey once again demonstrates why he is the best catcher in points leagues. I believe this is exhibit Z. In 131 games (only Yadier Molina has played more with 132), Posey has averaged 2.81 points per game. Leading all catchers with 368 points, Buster gives his owners a clear advantage behind the plate.
First Base
Anthony Rizzo – 3.36 PPG (142 games)
Edwin Encarnacion – 3.22 PPG (144 games)
Paul Goldschmidt – 3.15 PPG (143 games)
Joey Votto – 3.15 PPG (141 games)
Miguel Cabrera – 3.08 PPG (143 games)
Freddie Freeman – 3.05 PPG (144 games)
Albert Pujols – 2.89 PPG (141 games)
Carlos Santana – 2.80 PPG (143 games)
Jose Abreu – 2.59 PPG (143 games)
Eric Hosmer – 2.44 PPG (145 games)
Anthony Rizzo is a star. Being at the top of this list pretty much guarantees it. Despite landing in the third place I’m still partial to Paul Goldschmidt. The name that pleases me the most here is Freddie Freeman. Based on these numbers Freddie Freeman equals Miguel Cabrera. The only difference is you had to draft Cabrera much earlier. Can you imagine what Freeman might have done if he wasn’t playing for a AAAA team.
Second Base
Jose Altuve – 3.70 PPG (145 games)
Daniel Murphy – 3.62 PPG (137 games)
Brian Dozier – 3.44 PPG (142 games)
Trea Turner – 3.23 PPG (57 games)*
Robinson Cano – 3.14 PPG (145 games)
DJ LeMahieu – 2.98 PPG (135 games)
Dustin Pedroia – 2.96 PPG (140 games)
Ian Kinsler – 2.87 PPG (141 games)
Ben Zobrist – 2.83 PPG (135 games)
Joe Panik – 2.69 PPG (111 games)
Anthony Rendon – 2.56 PPG (142 games)
Rougned Odor – 2.53 PPG (137 games)
No infielder has a higher points per game average than Jose Altuve. The little guy has been living large all season. Can’t wait to see where he lands in 2017 drafts. I think I’ll wait a few rounds for Daniel Murphy or Brian Dozier. How about Trea Turner. Like Sanchez, his sample size is small, but he’s clearly a top ten 2B with a shot at top five. Despite hitting 30 homers, Rougned Odor is not even in the top ten. I can’t wait for next year when someone in my points league wastes an early round pick on him.
Third Base
Nolan Arenado – 3.69 PPG (144 games)
Josh Donaldson – 3.58 PPG (139 games)
Kris Bryant – 3.27 PPG (142 games)
Manny Machado – 3.21 PPG (141 games)
Adrian Beltre – 3.19 PPG (140 games)
Kyle Seager – 2.97 PPG (142 games)
Matt Carpenter – 2.87 PPG (115 games)
Justin Turner – 2.64 PPG (136 games)
Yangervis Solarte – 2.62 PPG (101 games)
Evan Longoria – 2.59 PPG (144 games)
Martin Prado – 2.53 PPG (140 games)
Jake Lamb – 2.43 PPG (136 games)
Todd Frazier – 2.30 PPG (142 games)
Nolan Arenado is nipping at Altuve’s heels for the highest points per game average among infielders. I’ve seen a lot of rankings with Josh Donaldson ahead of him, but not in my book. Especially when you take home park and age into account. I’ve got to say I was wrong about Kris Bryant. Coming into the season I had him lower in the rankings, but he has proved me wrong. And he’s only likely to get better. However, I’m taking Manny Machado over all of them. But since I’d probably start him at shortstop, I’d still need a 3B. Maybe someone like Kyle Seager who’s boring but continually gets the job done. I only included Todd Frazier on this list to show you that you should steer clear of him. He’s just not good in points leagues.
Shortstop
Manny Machado – 3.21 PPG (141 games)
Aledmys Diaz – 2.99 PPG (99 games)*
Jean Segura – 2.85 PPG (137 games)
Xander Bogaerts – 2.80 PPG (142 games)
Corey Seager – 2.76 PPG (142 games)
Francisco Lindor – 2.74 PPG (145 games)
Jose Ramirez – 2.69 PPG (138 games)
Trevor Story – 2.64 PPG (97 games)*
Ian Desmond – 2.53 PPG (144 games)
Eduardo Nunez – 2.53 PPG (131 games)
Carlos Correa – 2.52 PPG (138 games)
Alex Bregman – 2.43 PPG (47 games)*
Elvin Andrus – 2.31 PPG (134 games)
Troy Tulowitzki – 2.30 PPG (115 games)
Brandon Crawford – 2.27 PPG (143 games)
It seems the shortstop to own this season, after Machado, was Jean Segura. Did you know Segura’s average draft position was 203? Unlike Carlos Correa who is outside the top ten, but was likely drafted near the first round. I’ll take Lindor and call it a day. Aside from Machado, who was a pleasant surprise to the SS-eligible club, this is the only position without any players with a PPG average over three. I guess you can include catcher too since Gary Sanchez was ineligible.
Outfield
Mookie Betts – 3.75 PPG (143 games)
Mike Trout – 3.41 PPG (143 games)
Charlie Blackmon – 3.39 PPG (127 games)
Ryan Braun – 3.12 PPG (125 games)
Bryce Harper – 3.05 PPG (135 games)
Yoenis Cespedes – 2.89 PPG (117 games)
Hanley Ramirez – 2.86 PPG (133 games)
Nelson Cruz – 2.84 PPG (140 games)
Carlos Gonzalez – 2.82 PPG (135 games)
J.D. Martinez – 2.70 PPG (105 games)
Jose Bautista – 2.68 PPG (100 games)
Carlos Beltran – 2.66 PPG (138 games)
Gregory Polanco – 2.64 PPG (132 games)
George Springer – 2.63 PPG (146 games)
Jackie Bradley – 2.62 PPG (141 games)
Adam Jones – 2.60 PPG (136 games)
Melky Cabrera – 2.60 PPG (135 games)
Christian Yelich – 2.59 PPG (140 games)
Matt Kemp – 2.57 PPG (141 games)
Mark Trumbo – 2.53 PPG (145 games)
Wil Myers – 2.52 PPG (141 games)
Jay Bruce – 2.53 PPG (133 games)
Stephen Piscotty – 2.49 PPG (138 games)
Starling Marte – 2.47 PPG (126 games)
Adam Eaton – 2.47 PPG (144 games)
Mookie Betts and his 3.75 points per game average leads all hitters not named David Ortiz (3.79). This includes Mike Trout, by a fair amount. I still like Trout over Betts, but ask me again in a year. How about that Hebrew Hammer! When he plays, Ryan Braun is one of the best points earning outfielders in the game. Better than Bryce Harper. This list of outfielders, excluding Jay Bruce, is who you should be targeting next year. Until then, keep winning. One point at a time!
